Why toddlers' noses always run

Parents often come into my office complaining that their child often seems like they are constantly sick. They constantly have a runny nose.
It's so frustrating for the parents and, also for the children. They wonder if it's normal. The average child is going to get seven to twelve colds a year. Most of these colds will be in the wintertime months. Most of these colds will last for up to two weeks. That means that during certain months of the year, your child will seem like they are sick every day of the month. This can be very normal.
This is extremely common, especially with kids that are in school, daycare or who have older siblings. The thing is that colds are so contagious. Children are constantly rubbing their eyes, picking their noses, sucking on their fingers. They end up passing germs back and forth to each other. There's no way that we can quarantine all kids with colds.
It's important to teach your kids the importance of hand washing. Also teach your kids to not touch their eyes, nose, or mouths. The good news is that colds are caused by viruses and typically need no treatment at all.

Sonya Sethi Gohill, MD

Pediatrician

Dr. Sonya Sethi Gohill is a board certified pediatrician. She obtained her undergraduate degree at Stanford University, where she graduated with honors. Dr. Gohill then went to UCLA for medical school and her pediatric residency. She works at her own private practice, Brentwood Pediatrics, in Los Angeles. Dr. Gohill is also a certified lactation educator. Dr. Gohill lives in Santa Monica with her husband and their three kids. Her sons, Dilan and Jaiden, are seven and four, and her daughter Tara is eight months old.

Parents often come into my office complaining that their child often seems like they are constantly sick. They constantly have a runny nose.
It's so frustrating for the parents and, also for the children. They wonder if it's normal. The average child is going to get seven to twelve colds a year. Most of these colds will be in the wintertime months. Most of these colds will last for up to two weeks. That means that during certain months of the year, your child will seem like they are sick every day of the month. This can be very normal.
This is extremely common, especially with kids that are in school, daycare or who have older siblings. The thing is that colds are so contagious. Children are constantly rubbing their eyes, picking their noses, sucking on their fingers. They end up passing germs back and forth to each other. There's no way that we can quarantine all kids with colds.
It's important to teach your kids the importance of hand washing. Also teach your kids to not touch their eyes, nose, or mouths. The good news is that colds are caused by viruses and typically need no treatment at all.